Motion picture projector attachment



April 14, 1936 L. SOMAN 2,037,662

MOTION PICTURE PROJECTOR ATTACHMENT Filed Oct. 28, 1953 -ii i @wmmgm V Y n 1 IITIIIIIA'IA Patented Apr. 14, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MOTION PICTURE PROJECTOR ATTACHMENT poration of New York Application October 28,

12 Claims.

This invention is directed to an attachment for use in connection with motion picture projectors, and comprehends means for extinguishing any fire inaugurated in the projector.

In ordinary projection apparatus, the film is led from the upper reel through guides to the projector proper, the film intermediate the guides and projector proper being arranged in a relatively loose lo'op formation in order to avoid any undue tension on the film during the feed of the projector proper.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an automatically responsive valve in position or removed as a unit for controlling the fiow of the fire extinguishing fluid, the valve element being complete in itself and providing for the reception of an element capable of being instantly affected by the fire or the heat from a fire to release the valve for opening.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:--

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section partly in elevation.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view partly in elevation of the valve element, the valve proper being shown closed.

Figure 3 is an end view.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 with the valve proper shown open.

Figure 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a section on the line 6--6 of Figure 2.

The improved attachment comprises a box-like casing I designed in use to cooperate directly with the casing of the upper reel, the upper surface of the box being curved at 2 in conformity with the curvature of that casing. The interior of the box is divided into two chambers 3 and 4 by a transverse partition 5, the lower edge of which is coincident with the lower edge of the box at a point slightly to one side of the midlength ofthe box, from which point the partition 5 inclines upwardly toward one end wall of the box and some distance below the upper open end of the box is extended toward that end wall as a horizontal partition section 6.

The conventional loop in the film extends Within the lower portion of the chamber 4, and an automatically controlled valve for the delivery of a fire extinguishing fiuid is mounted in the upper portion of this chamber. This valve is shown more particularly in Figures 2, 4, 5, and 6. The valve proper comprises a nipple 4| having an annular flange 42 and an inwardly extending annular extension 43 exteriorly threaded to receive the outer sleeve 44. The opening 45 formed 1933, Serial No. 695,696

in the wall of the box for the reception of the valve is of a size to snugly receive the sleeve 44, the flange 42 having a diameter exceeding that of the sleeve so as to bear against the outer surface of the Wall of the box when the valve is in place. This annular flange 42 is also flattened at diametrically opposite points, as at 48, for a purpose which Will later appear.

An inner sleeve 41 has threaded connection with the inner surface of the flange 43 and thus provides between the sleeves 44 and 4! an annular channel 48 freely open at the inner end of the valve element and with which channel an annular series of openings 49 in the inner sleeve 41 communicate. Slidably supported within the sleeve 41 is a valve body 50, the outer end of which, namely, that end toward the nipple 4|, has an exterior diameter corresponding to the interior diameter of the sleeve 41 and forwardly of which the valve body 59 is reduced in diameter and its inner end guided in a hollow sleeve-like member 5| which is threaded into the inner end of the sleeve 41. The member 5| is designed to hold the explosive or destructible member for the release of the valve and for this purpose is formed with diametrically arranged openings 52. The valve body 50 is formed with a longitudinal bore 53 to receive the stem 54 of a valve, the outer end of which is enlarged to provide at 55 a valve proper which cooperates for sealing effect with the opening through the nipple 4|.

A gasket 56 secured by a nut 51 may be employed to insure a proper sealing effect of the valve. The opposite or inner end of the valve stem is enlarged at 58, and the bore 53 of the valve body is correspondingly enlarged at the inner end to slidably receive and permit movement of the enlargement 58 of the valve stem. The fire cracker element, which, of course, may be substituted by any means immediately responsive to fire and immediately disruptable under such fire, is shown at 59 and is designed, when in operative position, to be passed through the openings 52 in the end of the element 5| in advance of the valve body. This fire-responsive element 59 is round in transverse section, and the free end of the valve body is shaped to engage that element and to prevent movement of the valve body in one direction as long as the elev ment is in place. A spring 6!! encircles the valve proper, bearing between the nut 57 and the valve body, and operates to move the valve body inwardly or toward the fire-destructive element when the valve body is free to move, i. e. when the fire-destructive element has been ignited and destroyed.

When the parts are in set position, i. e. when the fire-destructive element 59 is preventing movement of the valve body, it is to be noted that the guiding enlargement at the outer end of the valve body is in position to close the openings 49 through which the interior of the sleeve 47 communicates with the passage 48, but that when the valve body is released and moved, the interior of the sleeve 4! is open to the nipple 4| and the openings 49 are open to establish communication between the interior of the sleeve 41 and the passage 48. The fire-destructive element 59 is preferably provided with hand fuses 6| through which ignition is rapidly communicated to the explosive material in the body of the element. When the fire reaches the element and disrupts it, the valve body is free to move under the influence of the spring 68, and in such movement the end wall of the bore enlargement engages the terminal 58 of the valve stem after appreciable movement of the valve body, and the valve 55 is moved from its seat, establishing free communication between the delivery channel 48 of the valve and the source of supply which is connected to the nipple 4! exteriorly of the box.

It will thus be seen that the valve element as a whole is, so far as direct connection is concerned, freely insertable in and withdrawable from the box through the opening 45. A plurality of nuts 40 are provided for removably securing to the box, supply tubes to the pad chambers of a cleaning mechanism which forms no part of the present invention. Means are provided to hold the valve in operative relation in the chamber 4 and in certain definite position in order that the fuse sections 6| of the destructible element 59 may be arranged transverse the chamber so that either or both may be readily reached by the flame.

For this purpose, the cut-off or flattened portions 46 of the flange 42 are parallel to the axis of the openings 52 in which the destructible element is received. A locking plate 62 is arranged to bear against the outer surface of the wall of the box overlying the flange 42 of the valve element, this plate being formed with edge recesses 63 arranged to more or less snugly interfit with adjacent marginal portions of the nuts 40, the lower edge 64 of the locking plate being designed to rest squarely on one or the other of the edges 46 of the flange 42 to hold the valve element in proper position for the appropriate arrangement of the fuse sections 6!.

A clamping plate 65 overlies the locking plate and is formed with a slot 66 to receive a threaded stud 6'! which passes through the locking plate and into a threaded opening in the proximate Wall of the box. The clamping plate is of such length that its lower edge may overlie the flange 42 of the valve element so that when the stud 61 is tightened, the nuts 4!) are prevented from turning and the valve element is prevented from withdrawal and, more importantly, held in desired relation in the chamber 4.

The loop of the film, as stated, passes into the chamber 4, and in the event of fire in the film between the box and the projector, the flame of the fire reaching either or both of the fuse sections 6! causes immediate disruption of the element 59 and releases the valve body 50 to the influence of the spring 66. The valve body then moves inwardly and, following a short movement, will unseat the valve 55 and at the same time free the openings 46. Fluid, which is otherwise free to flow, is then directed through the nipple, past the valve, longitudinally of the sleeve 41, through the openings 49, and into the channel 48, and so delivered at the inner end of the valve onto the flaming film. The fluid is of a nature to extinguish the film, and thus the fire practically at its inception is eliminated.

The sleeve 41 may be, and preferably is, formed with an internal flange 68 to limit movement of the valve body under the influence of the spring 65. Any appropriate means, such as a hand-controlled valve, may be arranged between the source of fluid and the nipple 4 i, as well as between the nipples 39 and the source of supply. This valve is designed to be used as a cut-off when the apparatus is not in use, but in the event of fire and the release of the valve, it is, of course, necessary to reset the valve prior to the further use of the projection apparatus. For this purpose, the hand valve cuts off the source of supply, the clamping stud 61 is loosen-ed, and the clamping element 65 raised, releasing the valve element and permitting it to be freely withdrawn. The valve is restored to closed position, the valve body moved inwardly, and the new destructible element applied, following which the valve element is restored to operative position and the machine is again ready for use.

One or both of the side walls of the box may be, and preferably are, formed with screen-protected openings 69 for the admission of air serving as a ventilating means for the emission of fumes and insuring proper combustive action of the destructive element.

I claim:-

1. An attachment for motion picture projection machines including a box formed to provide a fire preventing chamber designed to receive a portion of the conventional film loop, a valve mechanism supported by one wall of the box and freely movable into and out of said chamber, said mechanism including a fluid control element, a spring for moving the element to permit fluid flow, a fire destructive body for maintaining the element in position to prevent fluid flow, said fire destructive element having oppositely projecting fuses, and means on the valve mechanism to determine when said valve mechanism is in position to hold the fuses substantially transverse the chamber.

2. An attachment for cotton picture projection apparatus including a box formed to provide a fire preventing chamber designed to receive a portion of the conventional loop of the film, a valve mechanism for controlling fluid flow freely insertable through an opening in one wall of the box to be positioned in said chamber, a fire destructible element having fuse projections for maintaining the valve mechanism inoperative, a flange on said mechanism engaging the outer surface of. the box to limit the introduction of the valve mechanism into the chamber, said flange having a plain edge serving as an indicator as to the position of the fire destructible element in the chamber.

3. An attachment for motion picture projection apparatus including a box formed to provide a fire preventing chamber designed to receive a portion of the conventional loop of the film, a valve mechanism for controlling fluid flow freely insertable through an opening in one wall of the box to be positioned in said chamber, a fire destructible element having fuse projections for maintaining the valve mechanism inoperative, a

flange on said mechanism engaging the outer surface of the box to limit the introduction of the valve mechanism into the chamber, said flange being cut away to present an edge parallel to the diameter of. the flange, with said edge parallel to the position of the fire destructive element of the mechanism.

4. An attachment for motion picture projection apparatus including a box formed to provide a fire preventing chamber designed to receive a portion of the conventional loop of the film, a valve mechanism for controlling fluid flow freely insertable through an opening in one wall of the box to be positioned in said chamber, a fire destructible element having fuse projections for maintaining the valve mechanism inoperative, a flange on said mechanism engaging the outer surface of the box to limit the introduction of, the valve mechanism into the chamber, said flange being cut away to present an edge parallel to the diameter of the flange, with said edge parallel to the position of the fire destructive element of the mechanism, and means cooperating with the wall of the box and engaging said cut-away edge of the flange to hold the valve mechanism in predetermined position in the chamber.

5. An attachment for motion picture projection apparatus including a box formed to provide a fire preventing chamber designed to receive a portion of the conventional loop of the film, a valve mechanism for controlling fluid flow freely insertable through an opening in one wall of. the box to be positioned in said chamber, a fire destructible element having fuse projections for maintaining the valve mechanism inoperative, a flange on said mechanism engaging the outer surface of the box to limit the introduction of the valve mechanism into the chamber, said flange being cut away to present an edge parallel to the diameter of the flange, with said edge parallel to the position of the fire destructive element of the mechanism, and means cooperating with the wall of the box to hold the valve mechanism against withdrawal from the chamber at will.

6. A valve mechanism for use in motion pictures projection apparatus attachments, including a nipple, an outer sleeve carried thereby, an inner sleeve carried thereby, said sleeves being spaced apart todefine a fluid passage, a valve closing communication between the inner sleeve and said passage, a valve body movable by a spring to operate the valve to open position, and a fire destructible element carried by the inner sleeve and normally preventing movement of the valve body.

7. A valve mechanismfor use in connection with attachments for motion picture projection machines including a nipple, an outer sleeve carried thereby, an inner sleeve carried thereby, said sleeves being spaced apart to define a fluid passage, the inner sleeve being formed with openings communicating with the passage, a valve closing the communication between the nipple and said openings, a valve body slidably mounted on the valve, a. spring for moving the body in one direction, a fire destructible element for holding the body against movement under the influence of the spring, and means on the body cooperating with the valve to move the valve in the spring operated movement of the body to establish communication between the nipple and said openings.

8. A valve for use in connection with attachments for motion picture projection apparatus including a nipple, an outer sleeve carried thereby, an inner sleeve carried thereby and spaced from the outer sleeve to define a fluid passage, said inner sleeve being formed with an opening establishing communication between the interior of said sleeve and said passage, a valve closing communication between the nipple and the interior of said inner sleeve, a stem projecting from the valve, an end of the stem remote from the valve being enlarged, a valve body slidable on the stem and having a recess to receive the enlargement, a spring for operating the body in one direction, a member carried by the inner sleeve and guiding the proximate end of the valve body, and diametric openings in said element to removably receive a fire destructible member, the proximate end of the body engaging the member when in place to hold the body against movement under the influence of the spring.

9. A valve for use in connection with attachments for motion picture projection apparatus, including a nipple, an outer sleeve carried there by, an inner sleeve carried thereby and spaced from the outer sleeve to define a fluid passage, said inner sleeve being formed with an opening establishing communication between the interior of said sleeve and said passage, a valve closing communication between the nipple and the interior of said inner sleeve, a stern projecting from the valve, an end of the stem remote from the valve being enlarged, a valve body slidable on the stem and having a recess to receive the en- 5 largement, a spring for operating the body in one direction, a member carried by the inner sleeve and guiding the proximate end of the valve body, and diametric openings in said element to removably receive a fire destructible member, 5

the proximate end of the body engaging the member when in place to hold the body against movement under the influence of the spring, said body when in position to hold the valve closed serving to close the openings leading from the interior of the inner sleeve to the fluid passage between the sleeves.

10. A valve mechanism for use in connection with attachments for motion picture projection apparatus including a nipple through which a fire extinguishing fluid may be delivered, an outer sleeve carried by the nipple, an inner sleeve car ried by the nipple and defining with the outer sleeve a fluid passage, said inner sleeve being formed with openings to establish communication between the interior of the inner sleeve and said passage, a sleeve-like element carried by the free end of the inner sleeve, said element being formed with diametrically opposed openings to receive and support a fire destructible element, a valve body guided in the inner sleeve and in said sleeve-like element, that portion of the body within the sleeve-like element having a recess, with the wall formed to conform to and bear against the fire destructible element, a spring for operating the body in a direction toward the fire destructible element, a valve stem slidable in the body, a valve carried by one end of the stem to close communication between the nipple and the interior of the inner sleeve, and

an enlargement on said stem fitting within said recess in the body and engaged by one wall of the recess in the movement of the body under the spring to move the valve to open position.

11. A valve mechanism for use in connection with attachments for motion picture projection apparatus including a nipple through which a fire extinguishing fluid may be delivered, an outer sleeve carried by the nipple, an inner sleeve carried by the nipple and defining with the outer sleeve a fluid passage, said inner sleeve being formed with openings to establish communication between the interior of the inner sleeve and said passage, a sleeve-like element carried by the free end of the inner sleeve, said element being formed with diametrically opposed openings to receive and support a fire destructible element, a valve body guided in the inner sleeve and in said sleeve-like element, that por tion of the body within the sleeve-like element having a recess, with the wall formed to conform to and bear against the fire destructible element, a spring for operating the body in a direction toward the fire destructible element, a valve stem slidable in the body, a valve carried by one end of the stem to close communication between the nipple and the interior of the inner sleeve, and an enlargement on said stem fitting within said recess in the body and engaged by one wall of the recess in the movement of the body under the spring to move the valve to open position, said fire destructible element having fuse-like projections extending Wholly beyond the sleevelike element.

12. A valve mechanism for use in connection with attachments for motion picture projection apparatus, including a nipple through which a fire extinguishing fluid may be delivered, an outer sleeve carried by the nipple, an inner sleeve carried by the nipple and defining with the outer sleeve a fluid passage, said inner sleeve being formed with openings to establish communication between the interior of the inner sleeve and said passage, a sleeve-like element carried by the free end of the inner sleeve, said element being formed with diametrically opposed openings to receive and support a fire destructible element, a valve body guided in the inner sleeve and in said sleeve-like element, that portion of the body within the sleeve-like element having a recess, with the Wall formed to conform to and bear against the fire destructible element, a spring for operating the body in a direction toward the fire destructible element, a valve stem slidable in the body, a Valve carried by one end of the stem to close communication between the nipple and the interior of the inner sleeve, and an enlargement on said stem fitting within said recess in the body and engaged by one wall of the recess in the movement of the body under the spring to move the valve to open position, the nipple having an annular fiange to limit inward movement of the valve in use.

LESTER SOMAN. 

